Once used as a frequent provision stop for pirates awaiting passage of the Manila Galleons, Los Cabos is today headed for resort stardom. In the last ten years it has evolved from a sleepy hide-away for recluse fishermen and yacht owners, into one of Mexico's most popular resort destinations. This is due largely to improved road and air access, and heavy investment by FONATUR (the government's agency in charge of new resort development) and the private sector.

Los Cabos differs in many respects from its Mexican Riviera counterparts. Because of its geographic separation and isolation from mainland Mexico, Los Cabos' visitor industry grew up with closer ties to the U.S. (mostly California) than to the rest of Mexico. A conspicuous "north-of-the-border" atmosphere and attitude give the area an appealing cultural duality. American products fill store shelves, dollars are the preferred currency, U.S.-made cars are everywhere, and resort development (until recently) has been dominated by North American enterprises. Nonetheless, there is no denying the resort's strong Mexico-by-the-sea ambiance.

It is also unique in its striking desert landscape, dry climate, and "great outdoors" unspoiled beauty. Visitors are surrounded by a dramatic coupling of endless cactus desert, backed by vermilion mountains, and bordered by miles of white sandy beach and clear, azure waters.

The resort is one of Mexico' largest in terms of its layout. Basically there are three areas of concentration. San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas anchor the area's resort strip. The two towns are separated by the Corridor region, a heavenly stretch of lovely beaches, sprinkled with much of the area's new resort development.

Between these two towns is THE CORRIDOR REGION, the site of major resort development and some of Baja's most beautiful beaches. This zone is where Los Cabos is staking its claim as Mexico's premier golf destination, with a half dozen new courses complete or under construction.

Today the resort attracts a broader range of visitors than ever before, and has gone to great lengths to diversify its offering of activities and attractions. Of course, sportsmen continue to flock to Los Cabos for world famous fishing, outstanding diving, and game bird hunting. However the area draws beach lovers, golfers, shoppers and "eco-tourists."

The area's lodging scene has also improved dramatically in the last five years. Though somewhat limited in number, accommodations are first-class and feature some of Mexico's finest properties. But because of the resort's sprawling layout, selecting the right location is critical to vacation planning.